Unaccustomed Earth Book Review

Jhimpa Lahiri plays upon and wrote about the most vital human emotions: life, death, self discovery and love and in doing so, Lahiri wrote a truly unforgettable novel that examines the life of a family over several generations. Unaccustomed Earth is divided up into eight stories and as each story unfolds they reveal layers of life and culture in their context. Somewhere buried beneath the Bengali family’s wild displays of emotions and cries for attention there’s a story about finding acceptance and moving on and looking past the rooted cultural boundaries.Along with the theme of acceptance the book also has an overflowing theme finding one’s self, not just spiritually but accepting one’s identity in a new land. All these characters possess a desire, an urge to discover themselves, even in the most unorthodox mannerisms and the discovery happens over time and generations. While Unaccustomed Earth runs rapid with themes of culture, the book takes the reader to a time where America represented somewhere where communities were active and tightly boned, a time where one could build a new identity and explore freedom.With that freedom, each story has a character or family member torn between their culture and new chances America can offer. The characters face a turmoil of acceptance between their old heritage and trying to conform to norms of a western civilization. Early on the reader sees that Ruma (a lawyer) is starting to become a mirror image of her mother taking the path she once did in her homeland, â€Å"Growing up†¦ moving to a foreign place for the sake of marriage, caring exclusively for children and a household — had served as a warning, a path to avoid.Yet this was Ruma’s life now† (11). While there is freedom in her choice to follow her husband and be a house wife, Lahiri metaphorically tells the reader through this passage that while America offers freedom, it’s not necessary to make drastic changes but to be true to one’s own self. In that same page the metaphor is explored deeper when Ruma sees her father in a different light, â€Å" He was wearing a baseball cap that said POMPEII, brown cotton pants and sky-blue polo shirt, and a pair of white leather sneakers.She was struck by the degree to which her father resembled an American† (11). From this the reader can sense the parallels from the generations, on one hand there’s the foreigner consuming American so much he resembles it, and on the other an American born citizen reverting to a life she could have had in Calcutta. Overall the message become apparent that one’s identity is not defined by a geographical location but by one’s free will and is not limited by heritage and cultural stereotypes.Lahiri seems to often play with the notion of gender roles. At the forefront Ruma’s decision to abandon her career and opt to be a homemaker is met with much displeasure from her fathe r, as he seems to meet this decision with the initial thought that America was supposed to bring new ideologies, he envisioned a different life for his daughter. There is a strong urging from Ruma’s father to get back into legal work and make the best of her life, â€Å"Now is the time for you to be working, building your career† (36).Ruma’s father only wishes to see his daughter happy and successful and not reliant on a man. With gender roles we see Ruma’s Indian heritage come in to play as she feels due to her heritage she has a prime role in taking care of her father and have him live with her. In much of the story we see Ruma often trying to find her cultural identity balancing being a mother and her once promising job. While her father often appears discontent with the traditional lifestyle he was raised in, Ruma eventually finds freedom in her lifestyle choice.The reader can further see gender roles come in to play with Lahiri writes Hell-Heaven we see the narrator showing regret for the unappreciative nature they had towards the hard working mother and her sacrifices. Despite gender roles the future is often unclear for most characters and there is always insecurity no matter what situation arises, â€Å"Even as an adult, she wished only that she could go back and change things: the ungainly things she’d worn, the insecurity she’d felt, all the innocent mistakes she made† (137).Lahiri explores the aspect of death and the Indian culture that surrounds it throughout much of the novel. Whenever there is a death in Unaccustomed Earth it seems to bond the family closer together and bridge the generation gaps. Universally death is in every culture and it becomes apparent that no matter what continent someone is from one can not escape their fate, â€Å"There were times Ruma felt closer to her mother in death than she had in life, an intimacy born simply of thinking of her so often, of missing her.But she knew that this was an illusion, a mirage, and that the distance between them was now infinite, unyielding† (27). There is a commemoration that happens that bonds the whole family together and they must rework and an alteration occurs as they recover as a unit. Yet, although death is ever luminous upon humanity the Bengali families seem to take with a grain of salt, â€Å"The knowledge of death seemed present in both sisters-it was something about the way they carried themselves, something that had broken too soon and had not mended, marking them in spite of their lightheartedness† (272).Unaccustomed Earth seems to present death the way Bengali’s are influence by the Muslim and Hindu influence it has in the region. Overall Unaccustomed Earth is a great representation of Bengali culture and to show just how diverse the families are. While there are universal and cultural themes throughout the novel, all eight stories share a common theme: identity.Without identity there wouldn’t Bengali or Native American, it’s one’s identity that make them what they are, it’s their soul encompassed in relation to who they are, the philosophical thought in relation to gender, culture, and ethnicity. All the Bengali families deal with life and finding a place in their situation or country to try to fit in, to try to belong. From Seattle to Thailand these stories tell a heartwarming account of what makes us human. Works Cited Lahiri, Jhumpa. Unaccustomed earth. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2008. Print.

Military Rule

Many third world countries have been under military rule from time to time, for many years. The reasons behind this are many, and are complicated and interconnected. A military dictatorship gets established when political power rests with the military. Developing countries are so called because they are still in the process of development. These areas of development include economy, financial planning and budgeting, setting up of a working administrative machinery, a working constitution, a functional system of government, a system of institutions of education, a system of health, so on and so forth. Altogether, developing countries lack a lot of basic tools needed for proper functioning of a country. Civilians in general are disillusioned with life. There is widespread poverty and illiteracy. Flaws in the working of the system ultimately result in major problems for the common man. Neither is the health system strong, nor the education. The government usually does not provide for even the basic needs. People generally have large families, with no regular source of income. Since literacy is low, most people have confounded and obscure views, and do not understand the working of the system. People get frustrated, and blame the government for not providing for them. As public support begins to crumble, the administration gets weakened. In developing countries, politics is frequently a monopoly, handled by the rich few. Laws and rules can be bended and twisted as desired. And so this ‘feudal’ system of government results in economic and social collapse. Crime rates go on increasing, along with a host of other illegal activities. In the absence proper jobs, ordinary people turn to illicit ways of obtaining money. These are just some of the main problems. In case of a threat from another country, or a natural disaster, or food shortage, matters get worse. Often governments succumb to ill advised measures. And so goes on the cycle. Military rule comes in the absence of a strong government. There are many inter-related factors behind the prevalence of military rule, especially in third world countries. A weak civilian government can be disbanded easily, without much force. Historic examples of military rule include the Greek ‘Sparta [7]’ The ideology behind military rule is one based on discipline – the one thing a developing country lacks. Militarism is generally the belief of the far-right [7]. Under military rule, everything is under strict control of the army, and civilians are subservient to it, whether they like it or not. Civilian rule on the contrary advocates complete freedom, along with organized plans for social and economic development and establishment of diplomatic relations with other countries [7]. Militarism can also mean Martial Law [7]. When a normal judicial system is replaced by military rule, it is called martial law [7]. It is used mostly by authoritarian governments [7]. Earlier, it was imposed in times of war, or territorial occupation, to deal with trials of prisoners and soldiers [7]. It was also used by those countries with expansionist and imperialist policies [7]. Today, in developing countries, it is the easiest tool to bring a distraught and a disorganized society under control. Martial law trials are short, and usually severe when compared to normal court trials [7]. Many counties have now shifted to another system, in which a country is said to be in a ‘state of emergency,’ in place of martial law [7]. Martial law also gives the government the liberty of detaining anyone it thinks is a threat to national interest or security, even without adequate proof.   Media and press freedom is also under strict control. The few leading the hegemony can make decisions without hindrance, keeping the public and its opinions at bay. Under military rule, a country’s population has no say in any matter whatsoever. Without a parliament, all decisions are directly made by the autocrat and his collaborators, without the approval or disapproval of ministers. Think a little deeper, and it seems as if a country comes to an economic and social standstill if under military rule. This is exactly what most developing countries go through. One coup after another and the country lags behind even in the basic amenities of life. Egypt, for example, has been under martial law on and off from 1952 [7]. Gamal Abdel Nasser was the president of Egypt from 1956 until his death, in 1970 [7]. Algeria spent three decades under military rule (1965-1994) [7]. Mohammad Al-Gaddafi has been the de facto head of Libya since 1969. Nigeria has also been caught up in a tangle of coups. Adebowale, in his work criticizes the way military coups took to power, squandering money on lavish cars and houses, and turning into multi-billionaires overnight [10]. He also goes on to say that â€Å"Nigerians are mute because they are terror-stricken and know no other state [10].† He also states that â€Å"Several human rights activists continue to be unjustly detained [10].† Countries like Somalia, Sudan, Liberia, Philippines, Thailand, Ghana, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Gambia have also been under military control often. Maureen Aung-Thwin criticized the undemocratic manner in which politics was run in Burma [9]. Uganda spent a decade under the rule of one man – Idi Amin [1]. As opposed to this, almost no first world country has been under military rule since almost 20 years. Military governments also justify themselves by claiming that it is important for political stability [7]. Military regimes tend to portray themselves as neutral and unbiased [7]. Though not always, military rule tends to have little respect for human rights, and often use force to silence their political opponents [7]. Another key factor is the convenience of having a military leadership, as opposed to the effort required for an elected one. Public choice can be conveniently ignored and new laws can be easily imposed. The general public is weak, with little or no voice of its own. With widespread illiteracy, public opinion can be suppressed, bribed, or even forced. The general public in developed countries, on the contrary is much stronger and aware of their due rights. Hunger for power and money make the entire system corrupt and fraudulent, with innumerable loopholes. With an influential background, anyone can come to power. High posts like those of governors and chief ministers are based on favoritism rather than open merit. Countries currently under military rule include Thailand, Myanmar, Egypt, Libya, Pakistan and Fiji [7]. If loosely stated, the three key factors behind prevalence of military rule in developing countries are the hunger for power and money, a large but weak civilian population, and convenience for the army. With just one man to make decisions, it gets very convenient for military personnel to run the country. In the end, it is the normal civilian population which suffers. In hopes of better prospects, people look forward to young and dynamic leaders, but in reality, the nation continues to live under a rigid and a totalitarian leadership. It is a widely believed notion that civilian rule is always better, long lasting, and makes a country prosperous. With free and fair democratic elections, the people themselves choose their leader, and so, everything falls in place, and the country can look forward to a brighter future.    Works Cited: Prince Adebowale, Samuel Abiodun, Nigeria: The Nation under Siege by Power Drunk and Ruthless Military Dictatorship,   1997 Aung-Thwin, Maureen, Burma: Political Economy Under Military Rule, (edited by Robert H. Taylor), 2001, New York: Palgrave (Global Publishing at St. Martin's Press), ISBN 0-312-23568-2. Birkhimer, William E, Military Government and Martial Law (third edition, revised), 1914, Kansas City: Missouri, Franklin Hudson Publishing Co. Chris, Alli M. The Federal Republic of Nigerian Army: The Siege of a Nation, 2002, Nigeria Malthouse, 9780231277 Fidel, Kenneth, 1975, Militarism in developing countries, Transaction Publishers ISBN 0878555854 Fink, Christina, Living Silence: Burma under military rule (politics in contemporary Asia), 2001, Zed Books Ltd. â€Å"Libya – History,† (2006, July 14), US Department of State's Background Notes, (Nov. 2005). Militarism, wikipedia, retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militarism Olukotun, Ayo, Repressive Stat e and Resurgent Media under Nigeria’s Military Dictatorship, 1988-98, Nordic Africa Institute, (2004)      

Can Brazil Become a Global Competitor in the Information

Their IT out sourcing sector is small relative to Indian's. The theory about International trade states that the differences In endowment factors of production, levels of technology that determine the factor Intensities used, efficiencies with which these factor Intensities re utilized, and foreign exchange rates. Ball, Greener and Magnet) International Investment theories talk about comparative advantage and competitive advantages. An example of a comparative advantage between the united States and Brazil would be how the US has an advantage in computers, while Brazil has an advantage in shoes. The information technology service industry has expanded rapidly. Many companies worldwide have made the decision to outsource this industry to offshore companies. Worldwide demand has increased growth to forty to fifty percent on an annual compounded rate basis.Although Brazil has made substantial progress in reducing traditional border trade barriers (tariffs, import licensing, etc. ), tari ff rates in many areas remain high and continue to favor locally produced products. Brazier's barriers to trade are a cause for concern for the US Government and the European Union (ELI), both of whom continue to work through regional trade accord negotiations and at the WTFO level to influence tariff and non-tariff barriers. This report touches upon a broad range of trade regulations that may affect US companies seeking to export to Brazil.

Access to health care in France Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Access to health care in France - Research Paper Example The government through the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Security and several other government agencies manage the insurance scheme; it is a combination of a national insurance recognized and managed by the state and financed by the employer and employee tax contributions. The employees are affiliated from three insurance schemes but all members of the population are covered systematically (Latry et al., 2010, p. 743), prompting the World Health Organization to recognize the French healthcare system as the world’s best in year 2000. The French healthcare system has been effective in providing the necessary healthcare for most of its citizens but the health services provided by the system need review and limitations so that the costs could be covered by government funds. The French health care system is known as the General Scheme which provides the Social Security, and is a mix of universal ideals and the French cultural values of â€Å"solidarity and fairness† (Roth, 2010, p. 330). It is a public-private collaboration of hospital and ambulatory care, reinforced by higher resources of care and services. The General Scheme encompassed other areas of health, such as the health insurance component. The latest step of this system was the Universal Medical Coverage (Couverture mà ©dicale universelle: CMU) which took effect in 2000. The current health insurance scheme encompasses about 80% of the French population, including illegal immigrants. Also covered are the individuals from special groups, like miners, seamen, and railroad laborers, who protested for additional benefits a few years back (Roth, 2010, p. 330). The history of the French healthcare system goes all the way back to 1945 with the creation of the Social Security System, Securite Sociale, whose power and responsibilities encompassed management of funds for medical care, including retirement

Michael Bleaney Planners and enterprises (5 other sources to choose Lab Report

Michael Bleaney Planners and enterprises (5 other sources to choose from) - Lab Report Example According to Stigler (1951, 187) Adam Smith explains this concept with his famous example of pin-making. If one person were to make pins, he would probably be able to make just one pin in a day. However, if the pin making process is divided into 18 stages and in all 10 workers split these tasks among themselves, each doing just one type of job, together they were able to produce 48000 pins. This is because as the task is divided each labor becomes proficient and specialized in that task as he is concentrating on just one type of work and therefore the human mind discovers the most efficient way of doing that task. Thus with division of labor, there is an increase in the production, skill and efficiency of time giving rise to the invention of machines. However, Adam Smith recognizes the disadvantages of division of labor and says that with specialization, when a man spends his whole life performing a few simple tasks he becomes stupid and ignorant. At the same time however, he also says that division of labor causes inventions and technological advancements. The contradiction is that when the division of labor makes the worker and in turn society as a whole stupid, then how can there be technological advancement and inventions in the same society (Stigler 187-188). Many economists according to Stigler (1951, 189) have held this against Adam Smith and have found his theory to be contradictory. However, upon closer scrutiny we see that when Smith said that the workman who spends his life doing a few simple tasks has no opportunity to implement his understanding and innovations as his work is too mechanical. He has no need to attempt to remove difficulties that never occur. He thus automatically loses the habit of exerting and generally becomes stupid and ignorant. Thus according to Smith his deftness at his own particular work is at the expense

Gender and sex Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Gender and sex - Essay Example A term associated with describing gender roles is androgyny- denoting the display of both male and female behaviour. A number of terms have emerged portraying behaviors arising in this context. For instance, the "sensitive new age guy" is described as a traditional male gender role with a more typically "female" empathy and correlated emotional qualities. The "metrosexual male" adopts or claims to be born with similarly "female" grooming habits. This have given rise to arguments in various quarters that such new roles are mere rebellion against tradition and hence do not form a distinct role. Sociological research points out that the conventional feminine gender roles have become less relevant in Western societies. This trend is attributed to the starting of industrialization. Indeed, the notion that women do not follow a career no more valid in a majority of Western and many of the Oriental societies.For a long time now, gender roles have occupied a central place in the nature-nurture debate. Traditional theories argue that a person's gender identity, and thus gender role, is a product of nature. For instance, in patriarchal societies it is often claimed that women are naturally better placed to nurture children. Various circles in the scientific community have come to support the concept that differences in gender roles originate in differences in biology. Many nineteenth century anthropologists refer to the life of primitive hunter- gatherer societies for evolutionary explanations for gender differences. For instance, they assert that the need to take care of offspring may have limited the females' freedom to hunt and hence assume the role of the gatherer. Current trends in...Crises demand the kinds of strength and intelligence associated with hunting. Fleeing a natural disaster or fighting a band of attackers requires strength, speed, and strategic thinking. In wake of such situations, people naturally follow and rely on those who are physically strong and strategically intelligent. These leaders are usually males. Repeated and frequent crises have a severe impact on the social organization of communities. There are anthropological and archaeological evidence, which indicate that in times of prosperity hunting-gathering communities tended to organize around groups of related females. Egalitarian collaboration was the norm in such communities. Frequent crises resulted in organization around strong and strategically intelligent males not only during the crises, but also at other times. This hierarchical organization tended to exist side by side with, be overlaid on, and to intertwine wi th the egalitarian one. Thus, for instance, in villages, most casual everyday encounters were egalitarian, but people made formal decisions affecting the whole tribe only in meetings ruled over by a male leader and in which elite males exercised more power than do females. It may be inferred that gender roles are mainly conditioned by social value systems. Men and women are made to behave the way they are. Right from childhood, men are expected to grow up to be powerful, encouraged better for careers. They are expected to be tough, independent, demanding, aggressive, good problem-solvers, and so on.

Contemporary Issues in Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 2

Contemporary Issues in Management - Essay Example Management is simply the process of organizing and coordinating all activities in all business organizations in order to achieve defined goals and objectives (Newton, 2005). Contemporary organizations are very different from traditional organizations in so much ways. In contemporary organizations, the leadership style applied is mostly the democratic leadership style. This is a style that gives organization’s employees to participate in all almost if not all decision making situations. Employees of an organization are the most vital resources that an organization possesses since they contribute significantly to the success of the organization in the achievement of organization’s goals and objectives. The managers of Tesco Company for example are aware of this and this is why they mostly prefer the democratic style of leadership. The managers involve employees in decisions making situations such as setting of organization’s goals and objectives, setting policies a nd code of conduct that must be adhered to in the organization and designing plans to achieve organization’s goals and objectives and much more. In Tesco Company for example, the management is responsible for developing a competitive advantage that will enable the organization compete effectively in its respective market. The knowledge and skills of reflexive managers and employees’ ideas are vital to the development of an effective competitive advantage in organizations. Democratic leadership exercised by leaders in a contemporary organization gives employees opportunities to share their ideas with the organization’s managers on the business can develop a good competitive advantage. Parker (2000) argues that employees in contemporary organizations are always highly skilled and educated. Most contemporary organizations perform exceptionally well in their respective market and therefore employ employees who are highly productive in the market. The

Forum 5 criminology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Forum 5 criminology - Essay Example definition:- there is lack of a central repository for data on the actual number of corporate crimes in the state and all the federal courts of the United states. Secondly, the only source of data in the United States sentencing commission, this does not accurately reflect the problem as it only collects data on corporations that have been convicted of federal offenses ("White-Collar and Corporate Crime." Criminology & Public Policy 1.1 (2008). It leaves out the other firms who may be the actual offenders or committers of corporate crime. The other problem comes when it comes to the definition, this term is not a concisely defined term, and this leads to additional difficulty when it comes to the determination as to what types of behaviors would fall under the category of corporate criminal offenses. The problem of defining corporate law has happened over the years. This is because of the dynamic evolution that this form of crime takes. Corporate criminal laws take five forms ranging from the consideration of separate legality, followed by review of criminal cases by courts. Thirdly, we have the growth of the regulatory agencies and law to influence them, the next is the joining of forces is the corporations and the government to fight it and lastly a call for reform because of the rampancy of these crimes (HASNAS 2005). To curb these problems start by the clear identification of the problems. This is because a problem normally arise with the sanctions of the corporate crimes where if the guidelines significantly increase the sanctions, the substantial reductions in fines is allowed in the case with the evidence of an organizational due diligence. Another solution for corporate crimes is derived from the â€Å"Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002† which is characterized by mandated auditor independence and increased penalties for securities fraud and this makes corporate heads refrain from fraud of any form of their companies (Keane 1993). The acts has helped but with a

The Movement For The Survival Of The Ogoni People Essay

The Movement For The Survival Of The Ogoni People - Essay Example Weak and isolated, minority communities sought to internationalize their struggles in a political system largely dominated by three larger ethnic groups (Obi, 2000a, p. 67). Out of the cauldrons of minority protests rose The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) mounting sustained mass mobilizations through robust local and international support networks towards a worthy moral course-gaining economic control of resources mined in their ancestral homeland through political inclusion. The Movement organized the Ogoni people to demand â€Å"political autonomy† within their system effectively drawing the world’s attention through conflict with the Nigerian government, Shell Oil Company and a host of multinational corporations, all sourcing to benefit from the regions’ oil wealth. Indeed, since the 1990s, the movement’s dynamism in its tactical approaches drew international support with numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs)such as Human Rights Watch, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace coming to their aid in one way or another (Human Rights Watch 1993; Friends of the Earth-Netherlands 1993; Greenpeace International 1994). The movement’s activities were so intense pressuring the government to the brink prompting a three-year of harsh repression on the entire Niger Delta with the execution of MOSOP’s leader Ken Saro-Wiwa in 1995 in a bid to smash dissenting voices domestically-an act that branded the system a pariah regime in the eyes of the international community (Obi, 2002, p. 30-41). As a matter of fact, the history of this particular movement has been punctuated with intrigues and turns with the principal aim of getting their government to lend them listening ears so as to deliver their grievances. This paper sets out to analyze the tactical activities of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) with due regard to its relations with multinational oil business companies operating i n the Niger Delta. Summary Background of MOSOP Tactics and Its Evolution to the Present The history of man has been one characterized by occasional resurgence with distinct causal identities comprising of hyper nationalist beliefs, contentious religious principles, ethnical cleavage thinking, secessionist claims, and denial of fundamental inalienable human rights, environmental rights being at the epicenter in the recent times. The era after the Cold War markedly witnessed these identities antagonize each other for control of socio-political as well as economic scenes with events that occasionally tended to mount serious challenges to state authorities. Seemingly, Nigeria went through the test with near statehood collapse. The emergence of armed ethnic militias in Nigeria’s Niger Delta in the early 1990s was largely informed by marginalization of the minority communities, constituting social deprivation of fundamental, basic rights (Harper, 1996, p.42-47). The 21st century ha s seen indiscriminate use of lethal weapons giving way to conflagration of all sorts against the dysfunctional political structure of the state as well as oil multinationals’ policies infringing on the locals rights. Basically, these ethnic militias emerged with the sole purpose of challenging the poor choice of policies over environmental degradation emanating from oil extraction with little or no return at in certain instances (Onishi, 2000, par.2-4). Without

A Crime and a Punishment According to the Justice System Essay

A Crime and a Punishment According to the Justice System - Essay Example The justice system that was once trusted to offer justice is now criticized and looked down upon by many. The question is what exactly went wrong with our judicial system. Jeffrey Rosen in his article the wrongful convictions as a way of life also seem to ask the same question. He writes of instances where the appellate judges termed the evidence of the innocent people’s guilt as overwhelming and also instances where the Supreme Court dismisses a request to review cases without even giving reasons for their decisions. Brandon L.Garrett, in his book convicting the innocent also points out how the courts have in many instances, failed to take their time to properly consider the evidence of innocence of the suspects before they convict them. Many of our justice systems are also characterized by greedy and corrupt judges and officers. Judges who would set a criminal free at a fee. Judges who would convict an innocent person just because a client who is offering them a good amount of money has asked them to do so. Some of the judges and the officers no longer have their countries best interest in their hearts but are working hard for their own benefits and personal interests. Our justice system is quickly turning out to be the place where a lot of injustices actually occur. The craving for power has also been a common phenomenon affecting our justice system. Judges no longer make objective judgments but make their decisions and judgments according to the political wave in order to find favour with the high and mighty.

Emile Durkheim's Theories on Education and Morality Essay

Emile Durkheim's Theories on Education and Morality - Essay Example But as America became more populated and as problems became more social, the focus on education had shifted to the human being in relation to society. The people realized that the human being was affected by its environment and the role of education is to transmit present societal traditions and customs to the students by using teachers as social agents. Because of Durkheim's influence, the American society began to value individual freedom and self-determination that depicted the product of Protestant ethic and the impact of psychology on educational theory. The present society now corresponds to Durkheim's theory of education. Focusing on his educational beliefs and view points, this essay aims to acquire the significance of his theoires on the past and present day society. According to Filloux, Durkheim emphasized the general needs of the individual in order to recognize the function of a social phenomenon (304). He asserted that every society has a system of education that is inflicted on individuals and has a concept of a "human ideal"-physically, intellectually and morally. He viewed it as a "methodical socialization" that ensures the "conditions of existence" of every individual in a society. For Durkheim, discipline is a factor of education and a means of averting culpable conduct (43). He viewed morality as a discipline that promotes regularity in people's actions and offers them "determinate goals" that also hinders their horizons (47). There are three elements of morality that determine the form and content of the purposes that educational sociology assigns to education at school: 1) teaching a sense of discipline, 2) group attachment, and 3) autonomy of will (308). In order to be called a moral person, Durkheim stated that the individual has to abide by a norm (23) and "act in terms of the collective interest" (xi). Thus, the function of morality is "to determine conduct, to fix it, and to eliminate the element of individual arbitrariness" (27). In the school institution, moral standards are imposed by the teacher to the pupils though they are given the freedom to learn in their own will. (Filloux 309). For Durkheim, the spirit of independence exists if there is intelligence or understanding and moral orders in certain incidents in life. Durkheim also discussed the school environment in his theory (310). He believed that the school environment promotes the habit of life in a school classroom form. He also stated that in ideal schools, it is not important to produce scientists among his pupils but fully rational beings. (311). Research Discussion Durkheim's structure-function analysis focuses on social facts (Filloux 303). He noted that in order to understand a fact, the causes and purposes must primarily be recognized. His analysis was original for he approached this from two similar viewpoints. One was that the society, made up of its organic components has a systematic entity responding to the societal needs. The other view was that "the social system lends itself to analysis in terms of

Occular Visit in Barangay San Miguel Essay Example for Free

Occular Visit in Barangay San Miguel Essay I noticed that there are plenty of different shops in the area. It is a good aspect having plenty of shops because that means that the people will never run out of choices just in case they need to buy their needs. There are plenty of shops, that is why I noticed plenty of people too. Another positive aspect about the barangay is that I noticed plenty of uniformed men and women roaming the area. They are obviously the† kagawads† or â€Å"tanods† in the barangay. They are doing their job in monitoring the people’s business so that they can respond to their needs. We later went inside the Barangay Hall. I felt secure inside the place because I noticed the guards taking a good lookout of the area. But when we went inside, the barangay captain was unfortunately not there. So the other officials were the ones who took care of our agenda with them. The first thing that I did not like about the barangay is the litter scattered around the streets. I also did not like the environment because there are plenty of suspicious looking individuals around that made me feel uncomfortable. After our agenda with the barangay officials, we learned that we could use the basketball court beside the barangay hall for our desired community service. We went to the court to take a look at it. I noticed plenty of children playing. So I thought that we should make a get together party for the children in the area. For me, it is a good idea because the children will get to make friends with their fellow youth in the area. Maybe because of the get together activity, they will get united as they grow up to be adults. And of course, when they grow close with each other, their children will also get close. I would liketo see a united community of friends, that is why I propose that kind of activity for the children.

Creativity And Its Importance Commerce Essay

Creativity And Its Importance Commerce Essay According to the oxford dictionary of the English language creativity is the use of imagination or original ideas to create something and innovation is the action or process of making changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products. However creativity and innovation are so much more; they are the cornerstones of our economy, the foundations of our modern society and high quality of living, what gives meaning and purpose to our existence. Creativity is a unique characteristic of the human race. Of all the creatures roaming this planet, only humans have the ability of abstract thinking and creativity. Our history is the history of human creativity and innovations. From the first steps that Homo sapiens took on Europe, the weapons they created to hunt for food and fend off dangers, to the pendants that they crafted to indicate statues and the amazing petroglyphs found in France (Vallà ©e des Merveilles), Greece (Irakleia Cyclades), Italy (Bagnolo stele) and Spain (Galicia). Creativity and innovation are what created the pyramids in Egypt, Stonehenge in the UK and the megalithic monuments in Marta. Innovation is what armed the Greeks in Thermopylae and gave them a tactical advantage against an army ten times their own, and again in Salamis and Plataea. Creativity is what build the Parthenon and guided the arm of Phidias to sculpt some of the most important everlasting sculptures this world has ever seen. Then the Maced onians and other Greeks of Alexander the Great started spreading on most of the known world, and after them the romans and the mighty legions established the first superpower and Rome as the first mega city and all these started from few creative people that envisioned and created new ideas, new technologies and methods, new innovations (Association, 2008). Innovations, that paved the way, after hundreds of years of darkness, the dark ages, for the Renaissance and the age of Creativity; Michelangelo, Rafael, the great Leonardo Da Vinci as well as Copernicus, Galileo Galilei and Gutenberg. The human races intellectual revolution, all based on creativity and innovations. Our modern age starts with the industrial revolution that took place in the UK in 1750. Few very creative very innovative people started shaping the world to what it is now. Brunel, Watt and Maudslay; their dreams and creations can still be seen in the city we live in. The British Empire and the establishment of the first form of international trade and together with it the first multinational corporations like the Dutch East India Company that helped create the first global economic ideas and theories, as theses were described by Adam Smith in his book An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776). And then to the 19th century of the two world wars, but also of Dali, Picasso, Matisse and Einstein, Plank, Bohr and Heisenberg. Our history, the human existence on this planet, is a hymn to creativity, innovation and survival (Association, 2008). Creativity plays a very important role in the improvement of our society and of our living standard. New innovations make our lives easier, allow us to do things that we could not do before, as well as create workplaces and bust the economy (Bennett, 2006). Everywhere we look creativity and innovations is there; from an art gallery displaying Van Goghs masterpieces, to our mobile phones that provide us with information and functionality that previous generations could only dream of, to the way we shop using the internet and the new digital economy we live it. I, and the majority of people in the western world, can, from the comfort of my home, stream my favour movie and watch it on my smart TV any time I want, order a pizza online by using my mobile and at the same time keep an eye on the FTSE 250, live from New York. Actually digital and mobile applications and devices can do more, a lot more. They help people with diabetic monitor their disease, they guide millions of motorists, wi th the use of GPS, to their destinations, they connect the entire world, as well as help me, and thousands of students, find the information I want in order to write this assignment. Innovations and creativity in the medical field help people live longer, healthier lives, cure diseases that once thought to be incurable, and provide comfort and hope to all. Even things we now have come to consider small, trivial, every-day, like running water, public transportation or the post we receive every morning, were the inspirations and work for people, and are very important in rising our quality of life. Can anyone in the western world even consider every-day life without running water or even without the weather forecast? I think not. Our modern society, has recognised the importance of creativity and continuous innovation, and improvement, and has adapted both its educational and business systems to encourage it, incubate it and reword it (Burleson, 2005). Schools promote creativity and some even go as far as trying to teach pupils how to be creative. However, creativity is not something you can force on someone. Creativity is the result of a number of conditions that have to be met, with the primary being freedom. Freedom to speak, freedom to write, freedom to think and express yourself as you like, and freedom to choose what to do, what to create. Also, creativity is not the characteristic of an individual, no matter how intelligent, creative and innovative this individual is; it is a social characteristic; small ideas, in a free environment with no communication barriers, linking up, combining, to create a big great idea. It is not a coincidence that there are periods in human history that great minds come tog ether and lay the foundations, or start, industrial-scientific-intellectual-spiritual revolutions. The great Athenian philosophers of the 5th century BC, the great British engineers of the 1700s century, the great theoretical physicists of the beginning of the 19th century, and now the great digital minds of our era, are some of the examples that one can think. Creativity can be taught, however, as with all other aspects of the human mind and nature, creativity is a talent too. Some people have it and some do not. As a society however, we are a creative innovative society, a society that looks into the future, creates ideas, dreams and designs about how it wants this future to be and then starts working on making it happen (Casson, 2007). Business, innovation and creativity are interlinked terms. Business, any business, cannot exist without creativity. The common characteristic between a broker in New York, a fair trade luxury furniture shop owner in Islington, London, an independent cocoa farmer in Equator and a the owner of a silk textiles family business in China is creativity. The very notion of starting up your own business, take calculated risks and give your best to succeed, is the definition for entrepreneurial creativity. Innovation is what makes the difference, what gives a company a competitive edge, what turns a small garage business to a multinational with offices around the world and with billions of pounds in its corporate accounts. Creativity, realised through innovation is what drives our economy, is what capitalism is built on, is what creates companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Dyson and Goldman-Sacks (Davis, 2009). The important role of creativity and innovation in the entrepreneurial process Every sector of business and every sector of life is subject to creativity and innovation. If is strange that when the word creativity is mentioned most people think of painters or sculptors or even photographers, the likes of Modigliani and Petrocelli, and when the word innovation is used they think of technological advances, like 3D TVs, and companies like Apple and Siemens. If for example the banking industry is used as an example of innovation in a lecture, the majority of people from the audience will most like wonder about the appropriacy of the use of the word, when it comes to financial institutions such as Goldman-Sacks, J. P. Morgan and even the Royal Bank of Scotland. However, the financial institutions that compose our economic system are the epitome of innovation. Their continuous innovation in creating new financial products and finding ways to generate wealth is what led to the technological, commercial, entrepreneurial and consumption boom that started after the end o f the 2nd world war and is still going strong now, even after many financial crisis that this same system produced, with the most serious being that of 2008 with many countries and millions of people still experiencing its effects. Nowadays creativity and innovation is the driving force of the economy, usually in the form of digital and mobile applications and devices. Economists have even given this new type of economy a, very appropriate, name; digital economy. Iphones, ipads, tablet PCs, smartphones and millions of applications that help the user cook a nice meal, pay his bills online or even monitor his diabetes are the life-line of the post 2008 crises economy. And rightly so, as they provide incredible flexibility and utility to the users, improving their way of life and quality of life, and at the same time generating new jobs and money. They also provide a platform on which small businesses, utilising the benefits of the new technologies and the new digital marketplace, can compete even with multinational corporations in a global marketplace. However the link between creativity, which gives birth to innovations, with the business process is deeper than just new products and services, no matter how revolutionary these might be. The whole idea of starting up a new business, a new company, comes from ones creativity. (Eysenck, 2008) The starting up of a business is creation. The new entrepreneur wants to be independent, to do what he enjoys and believes he is best in doing, to leave his mark, to create. It is creativity that enables an entrepreneur to act on the opportunities that present to him, in order to create competitive advantage for his company. His company does not need to be about revolutionary technology, new designs or new products. He does not need to be an inspirational writer, a painter or an architect. He is creative because he made that first very important step of becoming an entrepreneur. So, not all entrepreneurs are innovative, however those who are, shape the world we live in with their creations. Innov ation is the next step of creativity; it is its materialisation and the means to generate wealth. It is, or it can be, the financial link between ones thoughts and fantasies with the economy. Creativity is the heart of entrepreneurship and innovation is the oxygen that is keeping it alive. Creativity needs a spark and innovation needs fuel. These are provided in the form of physical rewards and generation of wealth; money. Money has been blamed for many things, and most of the times rightly so, however, together with an inherited ability and need for humans to be creative, it is the most common motive for business creativity and innovation. Not the only, but one of the most significant reasons why people want to become entrepreneurs and push themselves to create something new, something exciting, something that other people, many other people, will buy. So creativity and innovation are fundamental factors of wealth generation which is the cornerstone of our capitalistic economic system, which is the only applicable economic system in the world, as we speak. One can even go as far as saying that creativity and innovation is business. Is the creative process a way to trigger self-actualisation and motivation? The question about what motivates us humans to do what we do, to wake up in the morning to go to work, to wait three hours in the rain in order to buy tickets for our favourite pop group or to create new art, technology and literature has fascinated many people before, among them many famous philosophers, like Hume and Kant. When someone first asks about what motivates us to do what we do, the first answer he will usually receive is money. However, this in not, in the majority of times, true, or at least, not the entire truth. Self-actualisation is the desire to become more and more what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming (Goble, 1970). Maslow in his theory of basic needs, states that the goals for self-actualisation are as fundamental as those of education, continues learning and self-improvement and creativity. These goals or some may say needs or fundamentals of human existence promote and focus on learning in relationship to imagination, creativity, experience and challenge. However, all these notions are interconnected between them. Learning, experience and creativity are essential to self-actualisation, as self-actualisation is a fundamental requirement for learning and creativity. The idea of self-actualisation comes from Maslow. He describes two human need systems; the deficiency needs system, also called D values, and the Being system, also called B values. D values denote the defensive nature of humans that leads us to be as safe as possible in all situations, but sometimes stops us from experiencing, improving and growing, and B values are the opposite, is what drives us to learn, experience, get in love, try new things and enhance our abilities, taking risks. According to Maslow, the most self-actualised people are mature adults with a history of a productive involvement in their work (Maslow, 1943). Creativity is one of the fundamental ways to trigger self-actualisation and motivation. When one is creative, he feels good about himself, he feels and is productive, his blood rushes through his veins and his mind is on fire. He is creating something new, he is full of energy and confidence. Also, usually creativity means being social, coming in contact with many people, who themselves are creative and exchanging ideas and opinions, networking, interacting and synthesising hunches and observations to theories and great ideas. Just the process of doing so is what motivates many people and the result and excitement to see your idea materialised what motivates the rest (Becherer, 2008). High self-confidence and belief to you, to your abilities and what you can do, which comes from being creative, being alive and contributing to the society, are the basic ingredients of self-actualisation, which lead you to accomplish your targets, and set new, which again kick-start the creative process that triggers your motivation and enhances your self-actualisation. The creative process, self-actualisation and motivation are all parts of human nature. How creativity can help us in problem solving process? The first step of problem solving is to define the problem. Although this may sound trivial, in many cases it is not. Many people and organisations rush in to tackle a problem by finding a solution, without previously knowing that the problem really is. So, to achieve a solution, one first has to fully understand the problem. Once the problems have been clearly defined, the most important factor in solving it is creativity. Creativity is required in order to create a ask the right questions about the problem and find the correct and appropriate answers to them, creativity is necessary in order to provide out of the box ideas and suggestions and creativity is what defines the process of finding a new way in doing things. Brainstorming is a very popular way to solve a problem and it is a characteristically creative method. It involves the rapid exchange of ideas, any ideas, about the solution to a specific problem. What it does actually is to help people to come up with out of the box unconventional ideas and solutions, which in the majority of times are the combination of various ideas that are thrown during the start of the brainstorming session (McNamara, 2010). Also, creativity is what helps us to overcome the, very natural and common negative initial reaction to a problem; the anger and despair that a problem can cause, and actually make something good out of a bad situation but putting our minds and talents to work in order to find a solution that may just not be the solution to one problem but many (McNamara, 2010). A good example of a very creative solution to a common problem that later became a lifesaving method in medicine is the use of ultrasounds. When the first metallic ships and buildings started to appear, a problem manifested in the form of cracks in the metals that had the potential to result in catastrophic failure. The solution that was improvised in order to detect such material failures was the use of ultrasounds. Soon enough ultrasounds were used in humans to image their anatomy and monitor their health. Ultrasounds are nowadays used in every hospital, having a variety of applications such as in obstetrics, oncology and dermatology. Problem solving requires the generation, the production of something new; a new idea, a new device, a new product or new services. This is what creativity is. Examples of organisations that foster Creativity process Dyson One of the most creative and innovating companies in the UK is of course Dyson. Dyson is a modern British icon of design, functionality, creativity and innovations. The company was started in 1933 by James Dyson, an inventor and designer, after he graduated from the Royal College of Art. What started as a tiny company with a single product, a vacuum cleaner, developed in a tiny workshop in the backward of Sir Dysons family house, is now a multinational company, that sells its products in over 50 countries and which employs more than 3,000 people. The companys headquarters are located in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, UK (Dyson, 2012). Technological innovations such as the cyclone technology and the air multiplier technology have changed the industry of commercial home appliances, giving tremendous status to Dyson. The company makes extensive use of computer aided design software as well as 3D printing and 3D visualisation technologies. It also actively promotes creativity and innovation by encouraging its employees to come forward with new ideas, and by having weekly brainstorming sessions where all employees, no maters their speciality and rank, can seat together and exchange ideas in order to provide solutions in existing problems or suggest new products, technologies and methods. The company also promotes training and education, as it is a firm supporter of the notion that the more your get involved and study something in depth, the more creative ideas arise (Dyson, 2012). In 2002 Sir Dyson founded the James Dyson foundation to support design and engineering education, and the creative process. Google Google is one of the most powerful and rich companies in the world. The company was founded in 1998 and it became a public limited company in 2004. Google currently employs more than 53,000 people worldwide. The companys headquarters, Googleplex, are located in Mountain View, California, United States (Google, 2012). Google is not just an innovator in terms of technology, networking, mobile applications and the internet, but also in terms of company structure and employee motivation and creativity encouragement techniques. One of its most popular and innovative company policies is what Google calls personal projects time (Google, 2012). In essence Google allows and encourages every one of its employees to spend a whole day, every week, working on their personal projects and ideas. Also the company has created an internal blackboard that all personal finished projects are published for testing and for generation of discussion, cooperation and the creation of even more, more advanced projects. Finally, these projects are published on the internet, on Google Labs, for everyone to test and feedback. Google actively promotes and supports innovation and creativity and has faith on the abilities of its employees to deliver outstanding new ideas and products. It is a company founded on a great idea and still working towards the next great idea. It provides a work environment that is designed to keep its employees happy and satisfied and cater to all their needs, in order for them to be able to give back their great ideas. It promotes communication, freedom of expression and clearly sets the priority targets which are none other than the generation of new great ideas and the improvement of old. It is an environment that creativity is not forced, it just happens. Google search, Android, Google Maps and Google Goggles are but a few of the results of the abundance of creativity that this company has (Google, 2012). Apple Apple Inc. is nowadays considered the most innovative company in the world. Its products are rapidly reaching legendary status, with their names being used, in many occasions, to define an entire market sector and not just a product. The IPad is a good example of Apples innovation. Apple actually created the marketplace for tablet PC with its introduction of IPad. Many people will refer to any tablet PC as an IPad. The same goes for the IPhone which was the first, real, smartphone, the smartphone that started the revolution we live today (Apple, 2012). Steven Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple Inc. back in 1977. Jobs and Wozniak worked in Jobs parents garage in order to create the first Apple PC. Nowadays, Apple employs more than 73,000 people around the world, has its headquarters in a 130,000 square metres in Cupertino, California, USA and generates an annual turnover in excess of 156 billion US dollars (Apple, 2012). Apple Inc. is not just a huge, very successful, very profitable company; it is one of the very few companies in the world that successfully combines, promotes and excels in creativity, innovation and design. Products like the Ipad, the Iphone and the Ipod, combine the creativity and vision of a company, and of a very charismatic man, Steven Jobs, who sought to develop (create) new revolutionary products, with innovation of continuously updating and upgrading, introducing new and improved versions with design, aesthetically pleasing, trendy, fashionable devices that are more than a mobile phone or a portable PC, they are status enchanting, life-style items (Business, 2009). Many companies have attempted to do this, very few have achieved it and only a handful have mastered it. Apple is a level above them. Of course this is not just down to the vision and charisma of Steven Jobs. Apple employs some of the most creative mind in the world and provides the conditions for them to create and innovate. The image of Steven Jobs walking around the office barefooted, chatting with his employees about ideas he or they has is characteristic about the company culture (Deutschman, 2010). In building nurseries, a small clinic, dentist, even a virtual reality game suits and more than twelve restaurants are but some of the benefits that Apple employees enjoy. Apple employees are encouraged to think outside the box, to speak up and always share their thoughts, opinions, as well as projects and ideas with their colleagues. It is an inspiring environment that actively promotes thinking. However, Apple has also contributed in the business creativity and innovation field its influence, or the influence its huge success has, to hundreds of other companies, most of them its competitors. Apple has forced its competitors to rethink their products and sales techniques, to focus on design, to innovate. Apple has made other companies creative, by changing the market and the consumers. Apple is a company that its actions reverberate in the entire business and consuming world, as well as in the technological developments of our era. Universities As the topic of this assignment requests for examples of institutes that promote creative thinking and creativity, Universities would not be mentioned here. Although, technically Universities are not companies, so they do not promote business creativity per say, they are the places, the incubators, where the next generation of CEOs, entrepreneurs, managers and directors are bummed. They are the places from where most great ideas start, and although some do not make it to the real world, some do and they change it, they live their mark and the mark of their creator on it. Examples like Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook, David Dell and Dell computers and Erik Wallenberg and Tetra Pak (Leander, 1996), are but few of thousands of great ideas that started in University. Universities are for some the most creative places in the world. They take kids and turn them into scientists and business man and leaders. Although corporate entrepreneurship does not apply here in the sense that applies with Google and Apple, individual imagination, radical viewing of the world and an environment that is designed particularly to direct the mind to create, to dream and image, more than makes up for it. The young human mind, still unshaped, still uncorrupted by the do-nots and should-nots of our world, has an unimaginable capacity for creativity, innovation and ideas generation. It only needs direction and encouragement. Universities are the creativity centres of this world. Corporations have to work closely with them in order to use this creativity in the production processes, as well as in business, for the production of new products and services and for the generation of wealth, and for the betterment of the humankind. Conclusion Creativity and innovation is the foundation of business development and the driving force behind the improvement in the quality of living the western societies have experienced the last centuries. Business is about profit and the generation of wealth. However, what motivates individuals is not just money. The human need to create and to contribute to the society, being social and belonging to a group or a big family, is a fundamental factor of creativity and innovation. Self-actualisation and status is also closely related with creativity. I think, there for I am (Britannica, 2012), to the words of Descartes, a 17th century French philosopher. Hoverer, creativity and innovation is not just food for the mind and the needs of us humans. Creativity and innovation is what has shared the world we leave in today. From the first human being that created the wheel, to creation of Democracy in ancient Greece, and from the industrial revolution to the digital revolution of our era, creativity, materialised to innovation, is everywhere, is our everyday life, our education, entertainment and work, our existence. Creativity can help us solve problems in our personal lives as well as in our business lives and can help a company overcome hard times and go from near bankruptcy to being one of the biggest and richest companies in the world (Apple). More importantly, creativity is that makes us better, what makes opens our minds and makes us see things differently and act differently. It has to be promoted, protected, and encouraged, by businesses, universities and governments alike. One can say that as the only intelligent species on this world, actually the only intelligent species known to exist in the Cosmos, is our destiny to create.

Creating Value For Customers Marketing Essay

Creating Value For Customers Marketing Essay Marketing has often been defined in terms of satisfying customers needs and wants. Critics however maintain that marketing goes beyond that and creates needs and wants that did not exist before, According to these critics, marketers encourage consumers to spend more money than they should on goods and services they really do not need. Marketing process can be explained as creating value for customers and building customer relationship by doing this the organisation makes profit The various elements of marketing process can be classified as follow Understanding the market place and customers needs and wants. Design a customer driven marketing strategy Construct marketing program that delivers superior value Build profitable relationships and create customer delight Capture value to create profits and customer equity Fig 1 Understanding the market place and customers needs and wants is achieved through in-depth market research and thereby identifying a product gap or needs gap. This will involve trends , how to make things easier , comfortable, better and user friendly. In the early 80s there were few or no mobile phones. A thorough market research has created the need for mobile phones, then came the massive first generation mobile phones. This were later followed by smaller ones and this days we can see the smart phones with in built cameras, time online movies and news ability to actual work from your mobile Samsung note to the new tablets. Every day specialist market research companies, innovators, technicians and scientist all work hand on hand to create a new niche market or brand that makes our lives much more comfortable. Even the pay as you go concept became apparent as people could not continue to pay the incredible high cost then been charged by manufacturers who were looking at ways to cove r the cost of their research and development. So the critics may not be far from the truth but the ideal is marketers coming with ways and products that makes our lives easy. Design a customer driven marketing strategy. Marketing strategy is a long term means of achieving a corporate objective. If we take the example of the mobile phone industry where the likes of Samsung, IPhone, Nokia are in serious competition each as to design a marketing strategy to capture a share of the market. Like a military personnel will define the art of going to warfare. Subhash C. Jain in his book marketing , planning and strategy said within a given environment, marketing strategy deals essential with the interplay of three forces known as the strategic three Cs: the customer, the competition and the corporation. He says marketing strategies focus on ways in which the corporations can differentiate itself from its competitors, capitalizing on its distinctive strengths to deliver better value to its customers. He further concluded that a good marketing strategy should be characterized by (a) clear market definition; a good match between corporate strengths and the needs of the market and (c) superior performance , relative to the competition, in the key success factors of the business.  [1]   Construct marketing program that delivers superior value : This refers to the marketing mix that is the 4ps the Usually referring to E. Jerome McCarthys  [2]  Ã‚  4 P classifications for developing an effective marketing strategy, which encompasses: product, price, placement (distribution) and promotion? When its a consumer-centric marketing mix, it  has been extended to include  three more Ps: people, process and physical evidence, and  three Cs: cost, consumer and competitor. Depending on the industry and the target of the marketing plan, marketing managers will take various approaches to each of the four Ps. The benefits and cost of marketing orientation Market orientation is the understanding of customers requirement and creation of marketing mix which will meet these needs. Market driven means the firms capability to understand, attract and keep valuable customers G. Armstrong and P. Kotler define marketing as social and managing process by which the individuals and groups procure what they need by creating and exchanging values with others.  [3]   A market-oriented company is in a position to achieve competitive advantage thanks to its unique innovative approach to customers. In addition to this, according to the opinion of P. R. Dickson, a competitive advantage should be understood in the sense of dynamics of competition. He expresses disagreement with the standpoint of neoclassic theory of market equilibrium and claims that the main characteristic of the market is its disequilibrium. He sees marketing as a science and skill of creating changes (disequilibrium) in the market in the manner that would provide for the changes that are beneficial for the company. Various responses of salespersons and customers to changes in supply and demand, thinks Dickson, create possibilities that could be used by the company that understands market. He underlines the importance of adjusting company to the market occurrences.  [4]   Benefits and cost of market orientation Figure 2: Customer relationship groups Source: G. Armstrong, P. Kotler, Marketing: An Introduction, 7. ed., Pearson/Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2005, p. 25. The above summaries the benefits and cost of market Orientation other advantages are advantages Responding to Demand Building Customer Value Disadvantages Extensive and Expensive Research and Increasing Value Increases Cost Micro and Macro environmental factors that affect marketing Decision The micro environmental factors are factors that can be controlled by the organisation and relates directly with the business these are considered using the factors in fig 3 Micro Environmental factors Fig 3 Fig 4 shows how different public affects organisation. The public that affect the marketing decision of the yet they can be controlled and are regarded as micro are the relation with the following members of this public eg Financial public this is based on say for example the organisations annual returns. Fig 4 Macro Environmental Factors The Target market for mobile phones companies and IT companies are more likely to be the high income earning spectrum of the society or the new graduates and the city bankers and young people in the top echelon of society who will be able to afford the integrated packages that are about to be launched into the market very soon The package will include home entertainment, office package, security package, phone and video calls and financial/banking package all launched as one integrated hand held device. Market segmentation, and Target is followed by positioning, this should be developed and implemented by creating an image for the product, profiling the target market, High Tech gadgets like this integrated hand held device will be bought based on the technical specification what comfort or ease of doing a task it provide. Buying Behavior is the way and act of people involved in buying and using products. To understand we need to consider why a buyer will make a purchase. what factors influence will influence a buyer to buy a certain product. Buying Behavior refers to how people will behave when buying a certain product. A firm needs to consider and study buying behaviour and peoples reactions to the organisation marketing strategy has this will have great impact on the firms success. The marketing concept show how a marketing mix (MM) that satisfies (gives utility to) customers, hence it important to understand the what, where, when and how consumers buy. Stages of the Consumer Buying Process There are Six Stages to the Consumer Buying Decision Process (For complex decisions). Problem Recognition Information search The evoked set. Evaluation of Alternatives Purchase decision- Post Purchase decision Buying behaviour is often determined by the level of consumer involvement in the purchase decisions, the importance and level of interest the consumer decisions is determined by the motivation to seek information about the product or service. High involvement purchase such as buy a luxury car or other expensive items. Also the element of risk involved in the use of the product that is the social risk and the economic risk. The four type of consumer buying behavior are Routine Response/Programmed Behaviour Limited Decision Making Extensive Decision Making/Complex Impulse buying Routine Response/Programmed Behavior this are low involvement very little or no decision effort is required E.g. A can drink Limited Decision Making This are product bought occasionally example are like clothing but not brands Extensive Decision Making/Complex: This involves unfamiliar, expensive and infrequently bought goods. It involves a high degree of economic performance, and psychological risk. e.g. cars, homes, computers, it also involves a lot of time seeking information and deciding. and consumers will go through all six stages of the buying process. Impulse buying, this are purchase which are unplanned it like buying chewing gum in the conner shop without actually thinking about it. Also prices at time lead to impulse buying. They are usually low valued items. Ethan Lyon,(http://sparxoo.com/2009/06/18/how-to-define-your-market-position/) said The goal of market positioning is to find the ideal opportunity in the market based on customer needs, market forces and financial and strategic considerations. Once the market opportunity is identified then the organisation can further develop its product and elevate its brand to deliver outstanding value. To clarify the market position, the firm will need to find an overarching theme, then define the details. Brand Idea-The idea is an aspirational concept it defines the idea of what the company.For eample the Samsung note goes with the concept of designed for human Value Proposition- A customer or a consumer buyers the Samsung note they see high value and high quality Differentiating Attributes-Samsung has distinguished itself from Apple by targeting the main stream yet providing quality and comparable or better phones than those provided by Apple

Essay --

Most prople know what depresion is and how it can can turn into a destructive part of one’s life. There have been medications and theories made to help to prevent depression in adults. Many people are unaware that not only depression is not only diagnosed in adults but, studies show that depression is also diagnosed in children. Not only do adults become depressed. Children and teenagers may also become depressed as well. What people are unknowledgeable of is that, children may tend to be more depressed than adults. Depression is defined as an illness when it is persistent. Most adults and many children have a few bad days here and there, sometimes three or four in a row. When this happens, their mood is often loneliness or unhappiness, and having thoughts of suicide or unexplained anger. Some may sleep but they cannot rest. In some, depending on the severity of their disorder, even have lack of appetite. When it comes to depression we feel like there is no way out and even when our family tries to express concern we turn them away, because of not knowing the exact problems that we face. From my experience even when surrounded by loved ones I still felt alone. As if no one understands what is going on in my head or my heart. Sometimes I have even wished that they just go away, and the increased loneliness has resulted in making the situation worse. Depression varies from person to person and in some cases, it may get worse with age or it may cease. From my personal experience my depression was not of the more severe cases. But from what I have read and researched over the years of disorder, it can stem from anything to body image issues, self-esteem, lack of friends, or family crises. Some people may have depression from a trau... ...express their feelings.it is not good for anyone to keep their emotions bottled up inside. In conclusion,of course not everyone has all those symptoms every time. Until about ten years ago, children's mood swings and irritability were considered nothing but a phase that kids go through and would eventually outgrow. It has been proven that if depression in children goes unnoticed and, therefore, untreated, the children gradually will turn to doing drugs ("self-medication") and consuming alcohol, will drop out of school, will become uninhibited, and for a lot of them it even might lead to suicide. The adolescent depression is basically treated as the adult depression. Unfortunately, most of the antidepressant drugs are still not approved by the FDA for children under 18 years. More than likely, those people who are severely depressed often lead themselves to suicide.

Unpacking the ‘Education’ in Civic Education :: Education Learning essays

Unpacking the ‘Education’ in Civic Education Abstract Unpacking the ‘Education’ in Civic Education In this paper, we explore civic education through an examination of two approaches to the introductory course in American government. Our goal is to identify how differences in pedagogical method affect student learning and attitude formation. We do this through a comparison of two equivalent groups of students; one group experiencing a standard text-lecture-test approach and the other having the additional experience of a three-week character-playing simulation of the congressional policy process. While we find that both groups of students make short-term gains on factual knowledge and both experience attitude shifts in our hoped for directions, the effects are greater in the standard lecture course. Our overall findings help clarify directions for further revision in both formats of the course. The importance of civic education has been well-established. From the earliest political theorists, we see discussion of the importance of a well-informed citizenry for the health of a polity. While skeptical of the power of the people to self-govern, the framers of American democracy still argued that the ultimate power rested in the people, who would even have the right to overthrow government should it violate the â€Å"social contract† with those over whom it governed (as in the Declaration of Independence, where we see Jefferson’s thoughts so clearly influenced by Locke). Closer to modern times, much public opinion literature has engaged in discussions about Americans’ levels of political knowledge, and the consequences that flow from this (see, for just a very few prominent examples, Campbell, Converse, Miller and Stokes 1960; Converse 1964; Delli Carpini and Keeter 1991, 1996; Graber 1994; Jennings 1996; Nie, Verba and Petrocik 1979). To our minds, civic education is about preparing our students to be citizens in the American democracy. This involves teaching them the rudiments of knowledge required for reading a newspaper (or political web site), watching the news on television, and understanding what is going on in the world. Civic education also concerns itself with attitudes; for example, teaching students to have a healthy skepticism for what goes on in government, but grounding this skepticism in a reality that does not hold unrealistic expectations for government or its officials (see Hibbing and Theiss-Morse 1995, 2002 for a useful discussion of unrealistic expectations). Finally, civic education also concerns behaviors, as we encourage students to make intelligent, informed decisions about the extent to which they will participate in the political system. Unpacking the ‘Education’ in Civic Education :: Education Learning essays Unpacking the ‘Education’ in Civic Education Abstract Unpacking the ‘Education’ in Civic Education In this paper, we explore civic education through an examination of two approaches to the introductory course in American government. Our goal is to identify how differences in pedagogical method affect student learning and attitude formation. We do this through a comparison of two equivalent groups of students; one group experiencing a standard text-lecture-test approach and the other having the additional experience of a three-week character-playing simulation of the congressional policy process. While we find that both groups of students make short-term gains on factual knowledge and both experience attitude shifts in our hoped for directions, the effects are greater in the standard lecture course. Our overall findings help clarify directions for further revision in both formats of the course. The importance of civic education has been well-established. From the earliest political theorists, we see discussion of the importance of a well-informed citizenry for the health of a polity. While skeptical of the power of the people to self-govern, the framers of American democracy still argued that the ultimate power rested in the people, who would even have the right to overthrow government should it violate the â€Å"social contract† with those over whom it governed (as in the Declaration of Independence, where we see Jefferson’s thoughts so clearly influenced by Locke). Closer to modern times, much public opinion literature has engaged in discussions about Americans’ levels of political knowledge, and the consequences that flow from this (see, for just a very few prominent examples, Campbell, Converse, Miller and Stokes 1960; Converse 1964; Delli Carpini and Keeter 1991, 1996; Graber 1994; Jennings 1996; Nie, Verba and Petrocik 1979). To our minds, civic education is about preparing our students to be citizens in the American democracy. This involves teaching them the rudiments of knowledge required for reading a newspaper (or political web site), watching the news on television, and understanding what is going on in the world. Civic education also concerns itself with attitudes; for example, teaching students to have a healthy skepticism for what goes on in government, but grounding this skepticism in a reality that does not hold unrealistic expectations for government or its officials (see Hibbing and Theiss-Morse 1995, 2002 for a useful discussion of unrealistic expectations). Finally, civic education also concerns behaviors, as we encourage students to make intelligent, informed decisions about the extent to which they will participate in the political system.

Being Eleven :: English Literature Essays

Being Eleven Yep! If you are reading this you’ve probably already conquered the tumultuous eleventh year of your life. However, if you are ancient you have probably forgotten all about being eleven, so here are the advantages and disadvantages. First of all, there are many advantages of being eleven. For instance my parents trust me more. My parents let me stay home alone instead of having a babysitter. They also let me go to movies without them leading me by the hand. My parents don’t act so paranoid about me staying in the yard to play. My next positive thing about being eleven is I can go more places with my friends. For example, I don't have to go to the family skate, I can go to the friday night skate with my friends. My parents can drop us off at the front of the movie theater and we can pick what movie to watch. I can also go to the mall with a group of my friends. My third positive reason is I can choose more sports or activities. For instance, I can play tackle football instead of touch or flag football. I have the choice to play girls basketball or softball. I can also go to the school dances. My final advantage is I have more privileges. I can enter better web sites such as www.bonus.com. I can have my own e-mail address instead of writing mail by hand. My parents let me stay on the phone longer. I can stay on for about an hour instead of thirty minutes. On the other hand, there are several disadvantages of being eleven. For example, I have more chores around the house. When I come home, I always have to do the dishes instead of playing. I also have to do the laundry at night on weekdays and weekends. I have to mow the lawn every time it grows. My next example is I have harsher punishments. When I get in trouble I am either grounded for a week or even two. I also have to do all the chores when I am grounded. Another thing is I can’t go outside, play on the play station or watch television. As another example, I don't get to vote. When election time comes I can’t have a say in who I want to run my country. Being Eleven :: English Literature Essays Being Eleven Yep! If you are reading this you’ve probably already conquered the tumultuous eleventh year of your life. However, if you are ancient you have probably forgotten all about being eleven, so here are the advantages and disadvantages. First of all, there are many advantages of being eleven. For instance my parents trust me more. My parents let me stay home alone instead of having a babysitter. They also let me go to movies without them leading me by the hand. My parents don’t act so paranoid about me staying in the yard to play. My next positive thing about being eleven is I can go more places with my friends. For example, I don't have to go to the family skate, I can go to the friday night skate with my friends. My parents can drop us off at the front of the movie theater and we can pick what movie to watch. I can also go to the mall with a group of my friends. My third positive reason is I can choose more sports or activities. For instance, I can play tackle football instead of touch or flag football. I have the choice to play girls basketball or softball. I can also go to the school dances. My final advantage is I have more privileges. I can enter better web sites such as www.bonus.com. I can have my own e-mail address instead of writing mail by hand. My parents let me stay on the phone longer. I can stay on for about an hour instead of thirty minutes. On the other hand, there are several disadvantages of being eleven. For example, I have more chores around the house. When I come home, I always have to do the dishes instead of playing. I also have to do the laundry at night on weekdays and weekends. I have to mow the lawn every time it grows. My next example is I have harsher punishments. When I get in trouble I am either grounded for a week or even two. I also have to do all the chores when I am grounded. Another thing is I can’t go outside, play on the play station or watch television. As another example, I don't get to vote. When election time comes I can’t have a say in who I want to run my country.

Personal development Essay

Personal development and success are often, if not usually, tied up with a successful and satisfying career or careers. This means that career development is a key element to a self improvement program, whether for an adult or young student; even for a mature student. Do you agree or disagree? Why?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Career development is a key, if not central part of every individual’s growth. It is an aspect of humanity which should necessarily follow and apply where ‘growth’ and ‘development’ of a person is concerned. I believe it holds great significance to an individual not only because it defines the individual’s identity in terms of where he or she stands in society, but because it will also influence and perhaps dictate an individual’s personal or private life to the detriment or development of it. Career development should then be pursued if one is expected to grow holistically and lead a satisfying life. Is it important to have particular strengths and skills in a particular career or is destiny more important?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Both are important in every aspect of life, but more so in every career. Having particular strengths and skills and working hard in honing them is important in school, the workplace, and the rest of society. Opportunities and fortunate turn of events which work to our advantage are also important, and should be acted upon, but jumping in an endeavor without the proper skills and aforementioned strengths can only bring people so far, or not bring them anywhere at all. Strength and skills, as well as the instance of good fortune holds great significance in every career, and contribute to its development. Do you feel most people are stressed and unhappy with their jobs? Why do you think so many people work at jobs they really have no interest in and/or may actually hate?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   ‘Work’ isn’t supposed to be fun, at least not conventionally. People do what they can to get by, to earn tax dollars and involve themselves in the dreary drag of work they dislike or even hate, day in and day out in the hopes of finding a more satisfying and fulfilling job, to retire young, and enjoy the rest of what life has to offer. Unfortunately most of us get caught in ‘transitional’ jobs which we end up doing for the greater extent

Armour Garments Company (AGC) Essay

I. Central ProblemAGC should call up ways on how to revitalize the telephoner from its steady slope into worse conditions. The slew of AGC tumbling downhill were already juicy against them they just werent aw atomic number 18 that their system during good merchandise economy would non work considerably against harsh conditions, such(prenominal) as the competition boom and the excise of the undergarment commercialize during the Seventies, which occurred simultaneously. Their condition became so bad their equity shriveled up to half of what it employmentd to be.II. Statement of ObjectivesTo actualize back their customers from the competitors appeal as well as earn new ones To number ways to improve the earnings of the lodgeTo broaden the object glass marketTo use state-of-the-art equipmentIII. Areas of ConsiderationCompetition is pixilatedSelling unaccompanied to one merchant (Divisoria)Limited target earshotWas non ready for market instability parasitic on ac calle r-out saving grace output was non flexible enough to effectively craft gamey quality items Products were expressage ( unclouded undershirts)Prices were non favorable to the companyIV. secondary Courses of Action (ACAs)1.) Sell some middle-aged equipment of the company and buy useful neo equipment.A. AdvantagesGreater possibility that the company scum bag invest more flexible equipment for approach of reapingion in company.B. DisadvantagesThey go forth make up ones mind a solid time disposing the white-haired equipment due to its limited functions and the fact that its already old.2.) The selling of goods should non be limited only to one place.A. Advantages progress out to potential customers who do not frequent to Divisoria. Expand your target market.B. Disadvantages impart follow more expenses towards shipping, delivery and marketing.3.) advertise products in media and print.A. AdvantagesCreate demand for their products. ensure product and brand awareness to the public. image or brand recall.B. DisadvantagesIncur expenses in marketing and advertising.4.) Introduce products designed for women.A. AdvantagesWider audience more than customersGreater chance for lootB. DisadvantagesAdditional expenditures for research and design5.) possess benefits to middlemen (merchandisers).A. AdvantagesIncrease loyalty from merchandiser.Create a rapport between companies.B. DisadvantagesAdditional costs6.) Create products that are trending in the market.A. AdvantagesMore salesLarger target marketVariety of products to choose fromB. DisadvantagesHigher cost in production.Higher risk of put neat to waste.7.) Retain skin rash in production.A. AdvantagesHelps the company to gain back profit. get out lower class citizens with a excerption of products.B. DisadvantagesBrands Armour & Marca Troca will be provided everyplaceshadowed.Less profit (same quality precisely at a lower price).V. closing DecisionThe final decision is to counterchange the old notio ns and infuse the new, while close up retaining the quality of the product. Despite the immense hard work put into the company, changes will go on to occur, so a new manners for the company would be better fit than if it were to continue its slow downward pace.VI. slender Action PlansThe number 1 social occasion that the backup needs to do is replace the machines that establish their product. The machines are not only immovable for making garments other than undershirts, notwithstanding presume from context they are old, considering the company up to the liquidation proposition was twenty old age old. Although it will need much capital to purchase these machines, in the long haul, it is an enthronisation and it will help them broaden their product lines.A large chunk in the revision of plans situates in the products. In the noncurrent AGC, they only produced white undershirts for men. The next whole tone is the development of their product lines. It may lift out wi th research on their current and their hopeful customers and products. Expanding the brands include introducing clothing for women, designing high quality and fashionable clothing, and making them in color. The gamble is high because the company has only ever excelled in manufacturing one reconciled product, and expanding the product lines need much capital. other good call for the company is to bushel Blossom.That brand, with its good quality yet loud prices caters to those of lower income levels, which is a potential market to sell to despite numerous competitors in the price war. And although brands Armour and Marca Troca would be overlapped by the potential success of Blossom, through expanding the brands would they be able cater to a polar taste and therefore cater to a different audience. This way, the brands under AGC will not be channelisely competing for customers to buy them. with good marketing and well maintained production, AGC rouse achieve high wage from ex panding their line.Further action to broaden their target audience would be to advertise AGC. Its namesake and goodwill may definitely draw in crowds, but commercializing it in media and in prints will reach those who have not perceive closely the company and its brands. This creates demand for the product, and in turn, high sales.An influx of the new is not always a bad thing its how you respond tochange that counts. AGC withal has some fight left and with the fit strategy and taking the right opportunities, AGC can still be able to dancing back and regain what was lost.Case abridgment 3-2 Armour Garments Company (AGC)The Armour Garments Corp. (AGC) was realised in 1954 in the Philippines as a manufacturer of high quality undershirts. It had deuce frequent brands, namely Armour and Marca Troca. The company started out by copying popular styles and designs from Hongkong. The first ten years was sort of profitable. The company grew from 25 workers in 1954 to about 250 worker s in 1967. The company sells all of its products to wholesalers in Divisoria who distribute the product all over the country. The products are manufactured in white color only and are generally of superior quality cosmos double more durable than other brands in the market. Undershirts are worn as a matter of habit to avoid the direct contact of users polo shirts with the body. Product sales are seasonal. Business usually peaks twice a year in June, with the opening of classes and in December, with the Christmas rush.In the mid 60s more and more undershirt factories opened. The company faced serious threats in its public presentation since the Divisoria middlemen were not loyal to brands. All along, AGC was banking on its institutional pride and goodwill being the pioneer in the industry. While sales of the company did not decrease, it also did not substantially increase with the growth of the population. However, this did not bother management since the cash ascend was good. No major investments were made during the period. It was line of products as usual so to speak. In 1971, the market for the undershirt suddenly took a downturn. It was no longer fashionable to acquit undershirts. Moreover, more and more marginal factories germinate up and were willing to compromise on price and payment terms with the middlemen.For the first time in its history, the company was astounded. It introduced a new brand Blossom which was of barely the same product quality but priced lower to match competing products. It did not land long before Blossom was retire from the market because AGC sold more of Blossom and less of Armour and Marca Troca. Having failed to improve the marketability of its handed-downproduct lines, the company finally decided to diversify and venture into ready-to-wear business. It introduced a polo shirt line. The market response was not favorable. In 1973, the company added a tally of lines like jeans and printed shirts, these two lines also f ailed.

Assessment Task-Cypop 14

Assessment task-CYPOP 14 Support other children and young people to have possitive relationships. Part 1- The relative importance of positive relationships. Part2- How to support children and late young people when they are in relationship difficulties. 1.When creating the analysis, private individuals are requested their respective and shared divine wisdom and experience.? Skills and own ideas can be shared. ? Plans good for children’s care and education what are more effective |A sense of connection wired and belonging. Good relationships how are really important for our wellbeing. Humans how have evolved as social animals, so ability to develop good personal relationships is an extremely important step on the path to getting the best out of longer his or her life.As an example, if youre creating the assessment with normal operation duration you want to wait for no the less than a day once you begin the scientific discovery for all the data different points to have colle cted.

Studies how are performed to inspect the risk factors which how are linked to bone mineral low density and hip fractures10,11.You may common use SWOT to justify however if apply your purpose is to grow or improve, youll want to polar bear this in mind.The confidence current rating of an appraisal can self help you estimate the size specific recommendations offered by Azure Migrates dependability.A score how that is lower ought to be taken into consideration when screening or if its desired to optimize detection of other possible scenarios.

It is simpler to social work from 1 tool than many.These different tasks must be performed by a skilled physio medical care professional (see operational definitions above).Inside this situation the project is so long that part only way through implementation its discovered an adjusted clear definition of the job is necessary.Careful scrutiny is needed by long duration jobs.